Connecting Children's Art Projects with Literature

Image Source:
Monster Paintings
Schoolarts Magazine

This morning I was inspired by an article in SchoolArts Magazine that connected children’s art projects with literature. No doubt it was its reference to Maurice Sendak that caught my eye.

As a student of teaching, I am currently enrolled in a class that pairs literature with lesson plans and, considering my background in the Arts, I am always interested in using art methodologies wherever possible when creating my lesson plans. This is the sort of thing that makes me love what I do as a future educator and mother. Even in the early stages of literacy, with The Boog, we crafted alongside our favorite picture books. (See our version of George Shrinks below)

Image Source:
George Shrinks by William Joyce
GooGooGallery

The instructor featured in the article, Silvia Huggler, an art teacher from New York, uses Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are as an illustrative guide; in the process demonstrating the mastery of expression through the elements of art. Students explore artistic freedom in their choices and build a one of a kind unique monster. Organizations of space and color choices are entirely up to their discretion. The instructor merely acts as a guide, giving the students the tools to materialize their interpretations through artistic expression. 

Image Source:
Monster Paintings
Schoolarts Magazine

Using symbolism and ideas to convey meaning adds a developmental element to the lesson as well, where students can reflect on their own personal experiences in a dynamic way. The added bonus is that they also learn the basic elements of visual art.

Resources: SchoolArts Magazine, November 2010, pg. 32-33

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